Youth group to publicize campaign to keep Harbor Park from becoming commercialized for private use

Dana Point, CA – The Sea Scouts Mariners Ship 936 is planning a candlelight procession at the Dana Point Harbor on Wednesday, October 21, 2015, to educate the public about a potential Request for Proposal (RFP) from the Orange County Board of Supervisors. The potential RFP would privatize a public park space used in the Dana Point Harbor that the Sea Scouts and other community groups use. The Sea Scouts plan to be in full dress uniform.

Led by adult volunteer Jim “Skip” Wehan, a retired math teacher who has been dedicated for more than 40 years to teaching young people sailing and nautical skills, the Sea Scouts would be among the hardest hit by the potential RFP. The Sea Scouts are a co-ed program of the Boy Scouts of America that helps young people develop leadership, citizenship, and character in a high-adventure maritime program. As a non-profit group, they – like the others – currently pay less to lease the public harbor space than a business and would be unable to continue if the park is commercialized or run by a private company.

“We hope that this show of support from our members, in full uniform, will help inform the public that our program is in danger of being destroyed.” Wehan said, “We hope that the Supervisors will recognize our efforts and halt the RFP from moving forward. There are many non-profit and community groups that utilize this space.”

“Our goal is to keep the Dana Point Sea Base public and available to all who use it,” Wehan continued, “We’re organizing a letter writing campaign, a Facebook page, and an online petition. We think seeing our Sea Scouts in full uniform holding candles will put a human face on this issue that other efforts may not and help the public know what’s at stake.”

WHAT: Sea Scouts Mariners 936 in full dress uniform, holding candles and walking single file around the Dana Point Harbor Park.

WHEN: Wednesday, October 21, 2015, 8:00PM

WHERE: The perimeter of the Harbor Park at Dana Point Harbor (around the OC Sailing and Events Center).